Method Partner Retreat 2014

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Method is one of my favorite ‘applications’ that works with QuickBooks, there is only one problem, you almost always need to customize it. Now I am not so sure that is as much ‘a problem’ as ‘a benefit’ of Method….I mean unlike most applications you can customize Method, and when I say customize, I do mean customize.

Oh sure you can use Method:CRM right out of the box so to speak (or rather right as it comes when you sign-up and download the application), but almost immediately you start finding the option of customizing an enticing idea. While a few ‘users with a method to their madness’ take on the responsibility of customizing Method, with the exception of perhaps turning on or off some fields and maybe adding a ‘custom field’, almost all users turn to a professional Method Partner member for their customization needs.

I think my good friend Joe Woodard

coined the term “Method-head” for these people, but when I went to my first Method Retreat, I decided a more proper name was “Methodologists”. They are a unique blend of QuickBooks ProAdvisors who ‘fell in love’ with what Method offered in the way of customizing, expanding and streamlining what

QuickBooks could do via Method, and Information Technology/Programmer types who ‘fell in love’ with the ease of programming and customization of a core product that could be used for so many purposes and which just happened to integrate perfectly with QuickBooks.

Collectively these two groups have found a perfect coexistence, in fact a synergy which energizes their group when they come into contact each other for either a joint-project or an event at which Method is exhibiting, or most of all at a retreat of all the Methodologists. And that is where this story focuses.

This year’s Method Partner Retreat will take place in Toronto on December 8 and 9; yes that’s right, December, in Toronto… bring mittens (with this winter already being what it is, I would pack my polar explorers clothing more so that mittens!)

Over the course of two full days, the Methodologists will learn about the new version of Method:CRM. The Retreat includes overview sessions for the Method 2015 Roadmap as well as how to position, sell and market Method:CRM . There will also be 10 hours of product training laid out across three training tracks, so each Methodologist can choose the track that provides the best “-ologist’ education for their needs, thus expanding their Method- madness. The retreat is open only to registered Method Partner Program members.

Retreat Track One will provide an Introduction to Everything Method – By participating in this session, new Methodologists will get to know the new Version of Method; however by the end of this track, these newcomers should be comfortable using and navigating all existing Apps and understand the fundamentals of customization. These level one Methodologists should be confident in basic customizations and even building very simple based Method Apps!

Retreat Track Two is fundamental training on Customizing Method Apps – Geared toward experienced entry level Methodologists who wish to ‘up their game’, this track will use a case study approach to take them from “light-weight to deep-diving” Methodologists. Method Partner members taking this track will delve into a customization project to solve an individual business need. These sessions will increase in complexity, using the customization tools, actions and objects in new ways. The goal is to produce Methodologists who are read to ‘mix’ with the best of them.

Finally there is Retreat Track Three which Method refers to as Advanced App Building – at this level Methodologists are introduced to another dimension in Method madness. Partners will be working through a real-world industry scenario, to build a complex Method App end to end. This track is intended for Methodologists who are ready to step ‘out of the box’ and their existing comfort zone and into the arena of designing their own Method Apps involving the most complex Method concepts and actions.

Above and Beyond Experience - For those braving the Toronto weather for an extra night, Method is opening the doors to one-on-one meetings with key staff on Wednesday morning. How could any Methodologist ask for more…..perhaps Joe was right, by the time they have gone through all of this, they probably are “Method heads”.

You can find further details on the 2014 Method-Toronto Retreat at the Method webpage here.

So what if you are not a Method Partner, but this Retreat sounds like something you are really interested in. Well Method re-launched their Partner Program in June of 2014 to provide easier access for Accountants, Bookkeepers and IT or Business Consultants to receive incentives for recommending Method:CRM to their clients. You can see an overview of the Partner Program here.

You can sign up now and start recommending Method:CRM to your clients. All new Program members join at the Recommender level and enjoy incentives for making recommendations. They can also receive their own, discounted, personal Method:CRM account.

Partners can progress through the Program to the Consultant level through attainment of a sales target and Method Certification, where they can enjoy even more great incentives. All Partners have access to one-on-one onboarding into the program as well as a dedicated Program Manager, Account Manager and online resources to help them learn and recommend Method:CRM.

If you are interested in turning into a near immediate Methodologist, I would give Method a call, get signed-up, and discuss the possibility of attending the Retreat to participate in Track One, you might just find yourself on your way to Toronto, mittens and all, by December 8th.

By the way don't forget you need a Passport to travel between the US and Canada.

Unfortunately I won’t be attending the Method Retreat this year, so there will not be any ‘play by play’ coverage of this year’s event, but I am sure you can get the details from any of the Methodologists attending. You can almost always find them at other QuickBooks or technology events, they are easy to spot, there is always ‘Method to their madness….”

Murph

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Comments (1)

MethodHeads Rock On!

Methodologists are an avid bunch indeed. And let's face it, there is a certain beauty in being able to customize a program to fit your specific and unique business process needs. But what if you don't know what those needs are? Just ask a MethodHead (or Methodologist or Customizer or Partner, just don't call us late for the Beta) and they will be happy to help streamline and identify the work flows for any business.